Health Services

The school health team consists of a School Community Health Nurse (R.N.) and a Health Room Technician (HRT).   The school nurse manages and coordinates the services within each school. The health room technician, along with the nurse, provides emergency care, first aid, and triages medical emergencies. Services provided by the team include emergency care for students in addition to communicable disease prevention and control, identification of health concerns, establishment of health care plans, and case management of students with health-related concerns. Together, they also manage and review students’ immunizations that are required for attendance at public schools in Maryland. 

HEALTH ROOM PROCEDURES

A student needing medical care should request a handwritten pass to the health room from their teacher that includes the student’s name, the date and the time they are leaving their classroom (except in the case of serious illness or injury in which case the teacher will request assistance).  Once a student arrives in the health room, they need to scan the QR code on the wall with their cell phone and fill out the information required. This sends an email back to their teacher which lets the teacher know their student has arrived in the health room. Parents/Caregivers will be contacted by the health room staff for students too ill to remain in school.  If the health room is closed, students must report to the Main Office.  Students who leave school after a health room visit MUST sign out at the attendance desk or in the Main Office.  Under no circumstances should a student call/text the parent/guardian directly and leave the building without notifying the school and signing out of the building. 

STUDENT ABSENCE DUE TO ILLNESS OR INJURY

All doctors’ notes regarding student illnesses and injuries should be turned into the healthroom so the nurse can assess any possible accommodations that a student might need. *The attendance secretary may also need a copy of the physician’s letter if a student has missed more than 3 consecutive days of school.

INJURIES REQUIRING THE USE OF THE ELEVATOR

Students requiring the use of the elevator need a note from their healthcare provider that lists the reason for the elevator pass and any other recommended accommodations the student might need, along with the length of time the student will need to use the elevator. This note from the healthcare provider must be brought to the health room, where the student will receive an elevator pass that specifies the dates the pass is active.  

MEDICATION POLICY

School Health Services accepts medication orders and medications which are administered to students during normal school hours by a registered nurse or by the health room technician (Certified Medication Technician), who is designated by the nurse and is trained and supervised by the nurse. Department of Health and Human Services School Health staff will accept physician/healthcare provider orders and medications from Parents/Guardians for students with diabetes, cardiac condition, seizures, asthma and other conditions where ongoing medication is needed to assure the student’s health and safety. The following is required as part of this process:

• A physician’s order and the appropriate MCPS medical form which may be obtained from the health room or the MCPS web site (MCPS Form 525-13).

• Medication must be in the original container with a pharmacy label.

• School Health Services staff can only accept medication that is brought to the health room by a parent or guardian. Students may not transport their own medications.

• Nurses will work with Parents/Caregivers and physicians/healthcare providers to develop a medication and health care plan for students when needed.

• Only emergency medications may be “self carried” by students while at school. These medications include inhalers, epi-pens and insulin/diabetes medications. A medication form Must be filled out by the healthcare provider, along with a parent/guardian, and turned into the health room. Students are NOT allowed to carry over-the-counter medications like Tylenol or Advil/Motrin. 

• If a student needs to have over-the-counter medications at school, a medication form needs to be filled out by both a healthcare provider/physician and a parent/guardian. It must be turned into the health room with a new, unopened bottle of the medication to be kept in the health room for student use when needed.

• The only exception to the medication rule is Narcan. Anyone in Montgomery County is allowed to carry Narcan without an order from a physician/healthcare provider, even while at school.